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Kerala for Connoisseurs
With the Arabian Sea
in the west, the Western Ghats towering in the
east and a network of forty four rivers, Kerala
enjoys unique geographical features that have made it
one of the most sought after tourist destinations in
Asia. An equable climate. A long shoreline with
serene beaches. Tranquil stretches of emerald
backwaters. Lush hill stations and exotic
wildlife. Waterfalls. Sprawling plantations and
paddy fields. Ayurvedic health holidays. Enchanting
art forms. Magical festivals. Historic and cultural
monuments. An exotic cuisine... All of which offer you
a unique experience.
My humble salutations to the Dominic
family of the Casino Group Hotels Earth (CGH Earth),
for their single minded devotion and dedication, in
bringing the small state of Kerala, India closer to
the people of the world. In a way, this programme reflects
the essence of the spirit of CGH Earth.
Come discover what awaits you,
if you book for the 'Kerala for Connoisseurs'
tour with Dharans Tours
& Travels.
Day 1 Arrival
in Cochin
 As
soon as you step outside the Nedumbassery airport terminal
building, you'll find someone from our office waiting
to welcome you. From here, you'll be taken to Bunton
Boat Yard. The hotel is located on Willingdon Island,
a man-made legacy of the Raj era and one of the reasons,
why Cochin ranks among the worlds' finest harbours. As
you drive to the hotel, you pass the massive dockyards
of this ancient port, omnipresent coconuts and stretches
of glittering Arabian sea.
On arrival at the hotel, a non alcoholic
welcome drink will be served. With the pre-check-in
already complete, your bags will be whisked away into
your room. While we usher you into your Suite.
But before that, turn around for a moment
and take a closer look at the lobby. It is a vault of
sunlight and air, framed by arches and overhung by Punkhas
- enormous old fashioned fans of Indo-Portuguese origin.
The hotel's nautical past seems to follow
you around. A short saunter down the corridor brings
you to a little doorway. Pass through and suddenly,
the whole of Cochin harbour opens up, beyond the pool's
inviting waters. Watch the ships sail by, so close,
you can
almostreach out and touch them. The hotel's own boat
jetty isnearthe pool. A variety of cruises can be chosen
from here.
The rich heritage of Cochin is most
evident around its enormous harbour. Brunton Boat Yard
is an attempt to distill an aspect of this heritage.
All the rooms in this hotel overlook the sea.
By circumstance, the ensuite bathrooms too.The afternoon
is for leisure. Unwind and relax. Dusk falls quickly
in this part of the world. Witness Kathakali dances
- a very famous performing art of Kerala.
Return to the hotel for an overnight
stay.
Day 2
- Cochin - Periyar
 After
a leisurely breakfast in the morning, get ready for
an enchanting 5 hour drive to Periyar. The last 3 hours
of the drive is pure bliss, high up in the Western Ghats
with its mountain flowers, thick rain forests patterned
with dappled sun light, plantations of rubber, cocoa,
tea, coffee and spices, rolling high lands and crisp
cool air.
You arrive at Spice Village, located
in the Periyar wilderness. For centuries, voyagers
and adventurers, mercenaries and empire builders, kings
and merchants, men and women alike, were all lured to
the land not only for its spices but also for its wild
beauty and romance.
Check-in into your Deluxe Cottage.
There is no air conditioning, no televisions nor any
piped music. Just simple pine furniture greets you,
when you enter the room. Beneath your feet is nothing
more than plain terracotta floor. There is no opulence.
Yet Spice Village is a world renowned resort, consistently
winning awards for its services, its cuisine and the
unique experience it offers.
The resort consists of 52 cottages.
The architecture is inspired by the jungle of the area.
It is past mid-day, when you arrive
in Periyar. Plunge into the inviting waters, relax or
shop around for handicrafts. You can even go trail walking
and visiting the spice farms. It's up to you.
As part of your package, you'll be staying
overnight at Spice Village.
Day 3 -
Periyar - Kumarakom
 There's
an early wake up call at around 5.45 am. Coffee/tea and
biscuits will be served in the lobby. After this, we drive
you 10 kms to the boat jetty, in time for the first boat
ride into Lake Periyar at seven, that continues for two
hours.
Periyar is South India's most popular wildlife sanctuary,
covering an area of 777 sq kms. Set on an attractive man-made
lake, it attracts millions of tourists every year. Apart
from wild elephants, you will come across wild boar, bison,
langur, sambar, otter, flying squirrel, etc. Periyar is
host to over 246 species of birds and 112 species of
butterflies.
We return to the hotel for breakfast.
Check out and drive down to Kumarakom, which is approximately
a four and half hours drive away. It is the same road
up to Kottayam.
The rest of the 23 km stretch to Kumarakom
is narrow, winding through small villages and paddy
fields. The resort can be reached only by boat. A short
10 minute ride brings you to the reception of Coconut
Lagoon. A refreshing drink of tender coconut water
will be served on arrival.
Check-in into the Pool Villa.
Coconut Lagoon attempts to capture the essence of Kerala
and the backwaters. Nothing has been added that does
not already belong. And if the comforts of life enter,
they do so in a way that leaves the harmony around them
undisturbed. Soak in the scenic beauty of the Vembanad
lake that stretches out into a never ending horizon.
Listen to the distant call of the boatsmen, the swaying
of the palm trees, the chirping and twitter from the
bird sanctuary next door and the slow murmuring winds
- all of which are nature's way of expressing subtle
sound.
There are three kinds of accommodation
here. The Heritage bungalows are compact independent
cottages, set in lush lawns along the canals. The Heritage
Mansions are larger with an upper storey defined by
distinctive wooden ribs. While beyond, on the quiet
section of lake front are the Pool Villas. Peace and
privacy combine here, with private pools, distinctive
interiors and even your own little hammock,at the entrance
of your villa.
You will be staying in one of these
private pool villas. A word about the bathrooms. This
crucial aspect of hotel living has been given a twist
at the Coconut Lagoon. The bath rooms are open roofed,
echoing the outdoor facilities of traditional Kerala,
but incorporating all the modern luxuries. You can shower
under the sheltering sky in complete privacy. However,
there is no place for television here; we prefer you
discover all that nature has to offer, without any distractions.
In the evening, take a canoe ride
into the waters for a magnificent view of the famous
Kumarakom sunset.
We return to the resort for a overnight
stay.
Day
4 - Kumarakom
 After
a leisurely breakfast in the coffee shop, there are
many activities for you to choose from. You can simply
laze around doing nothing or cuddle up with a book.
But if you are the active type, you can take a canoe
out into the backwaters and explore this fascinating
world. Perhaps, go fishing with simple bamboo
poles. Take a crack at water skiing. Unwind at
the hands of the Ayurvedic masseurs. Visit one
of the farms close by. Or visit the nearby island for
bird watching.
As part of your package, you'll be staying
overnight here.
Day 5
- Kumarakom - Mararikulam
 After
a late breakfast, we leave by motor boat for a romantic
experience of the backwaters, a must do for every
visitor to Kerala. Fringing the coast and far inland
is a vast network of lagoons, lakes, rivers and canals.
These backwaters represent a unique geological formation
and the basis of a distinct lifestyle. The boat crosses
shallow, palm fringed canals, while the routine life
of the natives go unhindered on the banks of the lake.
The two and half hour ride in the backwaters is refreshing
as well as educating.
From the banks, we across to Mararikulam,
which is hardly a 15 minutes away.
Check in at the Marari Beach Resort,
in the Pool Cottage. On arrival, you will be
served a refreshing drink of tender coconut water with
a dash of mint.
Sprawled expansively across 25 acres
of land, the resort, like its namesake, is separated
from the sea by a windbreak of stretching palms. There
are only 52 cottages, so the sense of space is much
more dramatic. The cottages are separated by generous
stretches of open parkland, dotted with fruit laden
trees. The winding village pathways are a faithful
echo of originals. Completing the picturesque paradise
are rippling lotus ponds, with a family of ducklings
frolicking.
A typical cottage at Marari looks almost
identical to a local fisherman's hut. There is the same
palm thatch, swooping low over the raised verandah.
A little tap by the steps to wash your feet with. But
appearances can be deceptive. Air conditioning is concealed
in the thatches. The comforts of a modern resort,
including the coffee maker are present in the room.
Bathrooms are open roofed.
Beyond the large jacuzzi swimming
pool and the lawns is the Arabian sea in splendid
azure colour. The sands that fringe this coastline for
endless miles are themselves distinctive, deep, rich
and fine, in a shade closer to ocher than gold.
As part of your package, you'll be staying
overnight at the resort.
Day 6 -
Marari
 A
day for leisure on the beach. Other options available
are a cycling tour of the village, tennis, badminton,
beach volley ball, indoor games and learning to
cook with spices. Or unwinding at the hands of the
Ayurvedic masseurs.
Day 7- Marari - Cochin
Early breakfast today, after which
it is time to get back to the city. An excellent 8 lane
road takes you back to the Brunton Boat Yard in one and
half hour. Check in at the hotel Suite.
Later, we proceed for a sightseeing
tour of the city. Cochin can be a riot of sensation
at first sight. It is one of the most cosmopolitan cities
in India, yet mixes all the spice of tradition with
its modernity. Bustling Ernakulam is the newer and commercial
part of the twin cities.
Here eight centuries of history are
on display, it's like a kaleidoscope of cultures.
In a span of few kilometers, you can see the Dutch
harbour house, India's oldest Jewish synagogue, The
Catholic St Francis Church, The Hindu Raja of Cochin's
Mattancherry Palace and the towering Chinese
fishing nets on the harbour.
Return to the hotel for an overnight
stay.
Day 8 - Cochin - Abroad
Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer
to the airport in time for the onward flight.
Hotels Envisaged
Here are some of the pleasures
that await you when you book for the 'Kerala for
Connoisseurs' package with us.
Suite in Brunton Boat Yard, Cochin
(this itself is a deluxe property).
Deluxe Cottage in Spice Village,
Periyar.
Pool Villa in Coconut Lagoon, Kumarakom
(this includes a Deluxe Cottage with a private plunge
pool).
Pool Villa in Marari Beach Resort,
Mararikulam (this includes a Deluxe Cottage with
a private plunge pool).
Transport - an air conditioned
Mitsubishi Lancer. Mercedes also available
on request, at an extra cost. The driver will
be well educated, well dressed and will be able to communicate
well in English.
In Periyar, it will be an exclusive
small boat for our clients only. In Kumarakom also,
it will be an exclusive small boat for the clients.
English speaking guide in Cochin
only.
Accommodation is on Room plus breakfast
including applicable current taxes.
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